I’ll admit it, I am a huge believer of Miami Dolphins’ rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, whom the Dolphins drafted 13th overall in this year’s NFL Draft. Them getting Grant helps their defensive line for the future, but it he might be set up to fail in 2025 down in Miami.
If the Buffalo Bills had a chance at acquiring Grant in the draft, it would have been a slam dunk, no questions asked draft selection. Instead, they will face off against Grant twice a year in the division. However, seeing as how the Dolphins have a major, and I mean major, issue at cornerback with trading away Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers, the Dolphins could very well depend on Grant to be an immediate playmaker upfront to take pressure off of the secondary and that could set him up to be a major letdown for Buffalo's division rival this season.
Rookie DT Kenneth Grant set up to fail in first season with Dolphins
Even before the Ramsey trade, Brent Sobleski from Bleacher Report listed Grant as a rookie who could be a big disappointment in 2025. Here’s a bit on what Sobleski said about Grant:
"Kenneth Grant has an uphill battle to climb as this year's 13th overall pick. He's a nose tackle by trade, and most won't appreciate his primary job of taking up space and keeping his teammates clean so they can make plays. At the same time, a nose tackle drafted that high in the process better be the next Dexter Lawrence or Haloti Ngata."Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
In addition, Sobleski also said:
"It's important for an interior defender to do the dirty work and make sure the easiest path for an opposing offense isn't right up the middle. That can be achieved by someone who wasn't a top-13 selection. Grant must develop into a three-down defender to realize his full potential and draft value."Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
Grant was for-sure a first round pick that maybe had a chance at slipping down the draft board. However, with the Dolphins picking him in the Top-15, he now has to prove that he can be a highly productive player early on rather than develop into a great player for the future.
Now that you add in the Ramsey trade, maybe the Dolphins will be expecting him to rush the passer consistently to take pressure off of this horrendous secondary that the Dolphins have, outside of Minkah Fitzpatrick.